Minority Languages in a Globalized Society

22 May 24 May 2019

The 17th International Conference on Minority Languages is organized by the Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning (Fryske Akademy). ICML XVII will take place from 22-24 May 2019 in Ljouwert/ Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. Please, check for further information the website icml.eu.

Globalization has affected our world in countless ways. For example, it changed (and still changes) how people do business, communicate with each other and it impacts education and language learning. This is also the case for minority or minoritized languages. But while the world is increasingly globalizing, minority languages may face severe challenges to survive or withhold their position within a dynamic society.

The few dominant languages strongly influence smaller languages in language use and number of speakers, education and language learning, language policy and the development of language technologies for these under-resourced languages. Some languages are even threatened with extinction. According to the Endangered Language Project, 40% of the languages of the world will disappear due to globalization.

ICML XVII will address the challenges and opportunities of smaller languages such as minority languages in a globalized society. It aims to bring together scholars and students across the multidisciplinary field of minority languages.